Dichapetalaceae is an interesting family of flowering plants that contains many species which are highly toxic to animals, including humans. In fact, some species are so deadly that they have been used to make poison-tipped arrows.
However, there is also an intriguing story involving Dichapetalaceae and the unlikely discovery of a drug to treat river blindness in humans. Researchers studying the plant found a chemical compound that was effective at killing the parasites that cause the disease, leading to the creation of the drug Ivermectin. This discovery has since saved countless lives and provides a fascinating example of the potential for bio-discovery in the natural world.
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Short Description
Dichapetalaceae is a family of flowering plants, consisting of 3 genera and about 170 species. Members of this family are trees, shrubs or lianas found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
The species Dichapetalum cymosum of Southern Africa is highly poisonous because of fluoroacetate.
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